My buddies pure bread sheppard weighs 105 lbs. and he's almost two. I'd say they're large breed dogs for sure.

Regarding the "alpha" thing. I found tossing the dog on their back and biting their neck and ears worked really well. Puts them in their place real quick. You'll see the same behavior in dogs and wolves in the wild, so it's in their blood to respond to the dominant one.

Might have to spit out a few dog hairs though.

Good luck on the pup.

quote:

Originally posted by Schlud:
Regarding the "alpha" thing. I found tossing the dog on their back and biting their neck and ears worked really well. Puts them in their place real quick. You'll see the same behavior in dogs and wolves in the wild, so it's in their blood to respond to the dominant one.

Might have to spit out a few dog hairs though.

You'll have to be careful with this one though... research the breed of dog. In some dogs that are very timid from the start (English Mastiffs for example) this type of training can absolutely devastate the dog and can result in other behavioral issues down the road.

Wellllllll. Depends on how rough you establish control.

They WANT to have an alpha dog, a leader. Really sets their world up whole.

If you don't establish yourself as that dog, they may be confused and think it may be their job..

Like people, all dogs are a bit different though.....

quote:

Originally posted by Schlud:
Regarding the "alpha" thing. I found tossing the dog on their back and biting their neck and ears worked really well. Puts them in their place real quick. You'll see the same behavior in dogs and wolves in the wild, so it's in their blood to respond to the dominant one.

Might have to spit out a few dog hairs though.


You'll have to be careful with this one though... research the breed of dog. In some dogs that are very timid from the start (English Mastiffs for example) this type of training can absolutely devastate the dog and can result in other behavioral issues down the road.

ummmmmmm what if the dog decides HE wants to be the alpha and bites your neck back?

Probably not a problem with my basset hound, but tackling a german shepard......not on my top 10 TODO list.

I made Shoki scream like a girl as I bit into his muzzle when I first got him. I think it happened after I reached for a rib he was getting into. He snarled, I jumped on him and held his face shut, then bit him looking him right in the eyes. He's had my back now for over 8 years, and is arguably, the best dog ever.
Recently acquired a husky-wolf hybrid also. She requires a pack establishment even more so. It's been a power struggle between her and my wife the whole year, funny really. She used to eat all her shoes, clothing, hairstuff.. Anything with wood. Then the dog started eating the baseboards on walls. Table corners, and chair legs. I chomped down on her ear and pointed to the gnawed on chair, yelled a bit while flailing my arms around.. She hasn't chewed anything since and seems to have let up on the wife a little. Someone told me Huskies mellow out after 2-3 years. I'm hoping some of Shoki's good graces rub off on her.
Oh, good luck with your dog.

ETA- Oh, Shoki's a Male Akita 9yo 120#, and Sayuri is the wolfsky. Just over a year now, she's 45#.

quote:

husky-wolf hybrid

yeeeeaaahhhh......an even better dog to try and bite .......Funny about the wifes stuff though

In other news, Dan Swislow was seen walking around without half his face today...

lol, no she's really quite gentle.
[URL=http:an even better dog to try and bite //imageshack.us] [/URL]

quote:

Originally posted by DBAX:
Someone told me Huskies mellow out after 2-3 years.

Not mine. ~11 years old and they still act the same. The intelligent, hyper one is still hyper and the dimwitted, laid-back one is, well, still the same. My friend's kept pretty much the same demeanor all his life, slowing only when he was physically unable to do what he wanted, but you could see the desire was there. I think what you see is what you get with Huskies.

-Spike

(sorry for the threadjacking)
Ben, I'm glad you chimed in here.. How'd you like to add another Husky to your clan? "Romeo" is a 7 mo old male needing a home. He's my girl "Sayuri's" 1st cousin.. In fact, any responsible med-lg dog owner here willing to accept the responsibility of owning a Husky can prolly have him. Just speak up.

No, we're just about 1 dog over capacity with the three- I fought against that addition and (obviously) lost. Hope he goes to a good home, they're great dogs.

-Spike

Friday night I took home JerryLee. He is a 75lb 6mo old standard black/tan German Shepherd. He is a fine example of working lines and somewhat slender now, but that is normal for a young dog.

Friday JerryLee and I went home and got him situated.

Saturday we woke up at 5am to go for a walk/pee, went back to bed and woke up at 8:30 and then went to my mom's who has over 1/2 an acre backyard with a 6ft fence. JerryLee met 2 young kids, my grandma, two weiner dogs (the female weiner put him in his place), and my mom's husband.

Sunday we went to TacPro which is a huge shooting range in west Texas. JerryLee and I walked around away from the ranges and then we slept in the Infiniti right by the rifle range with the windows up. I also had a chance to put 50 through my Glock, but was more focused on JerryLee. He is doing great with the gunfire, and slept without a worry beside me while the rifles were going off. We also worked on SIT and he now sits 90% of the time with no treat the first time I say it.

This morning we woke up at 12am to go pee, went right back to bed, tonight was the first night he slept GOOD, and I woke up to my alarm at 6:15am, but JerryLee did not?!?!....he was sleeping that good. We went outside when I woke him up and he peed and pooped...then fed him and back in the crate so I can go to work. I left him alone for 4 hours Saturday night, but today is the test as he will be crated for 6 or so hours.


Cat integration is still underway. Surpisingly my Siamese cat charges him in a little ball of fury and this scares JerryLee. The agressive posture of my siames has given her free run of the house without worry of molestation from the dog. My fata$$ mainecoon kitty is antoher story. He will swat and hiss at JerryLee, but has started running from him and showing intimidation at JerryLee's bark. If he would become more agressive then JerryLee would leave him alone. So far so good for 3 days.

I forgot to mention, my dog is a royal pain in the a$$, but I love him dearly.

quote:

my dog is a royal pain in the a$$, but I love him dearly.

Congratulations.